Trivia: In the 1820s, the world’s first photograph was taken in which country?
France
United States
Japan
Germany
Correct Answer: France
So why is this answer correct? : Nicéphore Niépce took the first known photograph, “View from the Window at Le Gras,” between 1826 and 1827 at his family’s countryside home in Saint-Loup-de-Varennes, France. Faint shadows of a courtyard and outbuildings were created by spreading varnish over a pewter plate and placing it in a camera obscura for a few hours.
Trivia: Which company pioneered instant photography?
Canon
Fujifilm
Polaroid
Nikon
Correct Answer: Polaroid
So why is this answer correct? : When inventor Edwin H. Land was on vacation with his young daughter in 1944, she asked why she couldn’t see the pictures taken on the camera right away — so Land was inspired to invent the technology to do just that. In 1948, Land launched the Polaroid instant camera and it sold out in one day. Polaroid cameras became hugely successful and were beloved by artists such as Andy Warhol.
Trivia: Which Nobel Prize winner famously stuck out his tongue in a photo?
Alfred Nobel
Albert Einstein
James Watson
Francis Crick
Correct Answer: Albert Einstein
So why is this answer correct? : Arthur Sasse captured this famous image of Albert Einstein on his 72nd birthday in 1951. After smiling for a while, the scientist grew tired of the photographer’s poses and playfully stuck out his tongue. It is now one of the most recognizable images of Einstein, selling for over $125,000 for a signed copy.
The 1963 movie “55 Days at Peking” — which stars Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner — takes place during what conflict?
War of the Eight Princes
First Opium War
Boxer Rebellion
World War I
World War II
Correct Answer: Boxer Rebellion
The movie “Bridges at Toko-Ri” — which is based on a book James Michener — takes place during what war?
Spanish-American War
World War I
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Correct Answer: Korean War
What war serves as the backdrop for the 1951 movie “The African Queen,” which starred Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn?
Napoleonic Wars
Anglo-Zulu War
Boer War
World War I
World War II
Correct Answer: World War I
Trivia: Polyphemus is a member of what mythical race?
Goblins
Dwarves
Nazgûl
Cyclopes
Correct Answer: Cyclopes
So why is this answer correct? : Polyphemus is arguably the most famous of the mythological Greek cyclopes. He played a key role in Homer’s “The Odyssey” by trapping Odysseus and his crew in a cave. Odysseus tricked Polyphemus into getting drunk before he blinded the giant creature with a stake to his singular eye, allowing the heroes to escape.
Trivia: Which of these monsters did Heracles encounter during his 12 labors?
Phoenix
Hydra
Chimera
Manticore
Correct Answer: Hydra
So why is this answer correct? : The Hydra is an imposing, snake-like creature with multiple heads (often nine), one of which is immortal. As soon as any of these heads were cut off, two more grew in its place. Mythological hero Heracles (also referred to as Hercules) successfully slew the Hydra with the help of his nephew Iolaus and buried the creature’s remaining immortal head under a rock.
Trivia: The Kraken resembles what real animal?
Eagle
Squid
Bear
Turtle
Correct Answer: Squid
So why is this answer correct? : The Kraken is a giant mythological squid from 13th-century Norse mythology. Initially, the creature was depicted more like a crab, but modern depictions portray the Kraken as a giant squid.
Trivia: Cthulhu was the creation of what fantasy author?
Ursula K. Le Guin
Arthur C. Clarke
Isaac Asimov
H.P. Lovecraft
Correct Answer: H.P. Lovecraft
So why is this answer correct? : In 1928, H.P. Lovecraft published a story titled “The Call of Cthulhu” in “Weird Tales” magazine. The narrative described a monster with an “octopus-like head… [with] prodigious claws on hind and fore feet, and long, narrow wings behind.” This terrifying creature has earned a permanent place in horror lore and has been referenced in stories by famous authors such as Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and Alan Moore.